A Lifestyle of Learning Part 3: Outside Play

Play does not have to be limited to a gated grassy area or for that matter a playground or toys that have been bought from the store. Here, in the Kanahele home school, 'real' play takes place when they are allowed to explore. Even if I went out and bought them a plastic toy, they might play with it for an hour or so then eventually forget about it to later find it under the bed. They find so much fulfillment by being let loose to explore the world outside. It is so cool to watch them play as they find excitement in digging in the dirt, climbing a tree, riding bikes together as brothers and then coming back to tell mom they just saw whales "jumping out of the water" at the oceans edge, or coming back home with a papaya or an orange. It is not uncommon for Luke to take a few moments to pop in during play to give mom a flower...a recent one was red ginger.

All the while playing outside, they are learning, they are getting to know their Creator, the Creator of all the universe. As they dig in the dirt and watch whales jumping out of the ocean they are developing a knowledge of who their God is. He is creative like the creatures in the dirt. He is beautiful like the flower on our gardens edge. He is all powerful like the whales jumping out of the water. He is majestic like the high mountains we see in the clouds.

In months past we received a second hand X box. The boys were really excited about playing it. So, Ash and I decided that we would use it as a reward if they had completed their responsibilities. To our regret, it got out of hand and the boys would play it for hours. Sometimes we would even use it as a babysitter. They would be so preoccupied with the video game, they would be oblivious to what was going on around them. Play outside on the weekends was second choice, if at all. The video games they never knew about a year ago were now games they were hooked on. I didn't like it at all. Just the look of them gazing into the t.v. screen made me regretful that we even allowed it in the first place.

Thankfully, about 6 months later, Ash and I agreed that we would not allow the boys to play video games anymore, at all. We were convinced that there were better things to be doing with their time....obviously. They are back outside engaging in the world around them. Building relationships with each other as they look out for one another and learn to share with one another and work together. There is soo much more to talk about. And so much more to be thankful for. They are tired and worn out after a long days of work and play....... outside that is.